Methods and Apparatus for Providing ESP Stage Sequential Engagement

ABSTRACT

A method for providing artificial lift with an electric submersible pump system includes providing an electric submersible pump system having a motor, a pump assembly, a seal assembly, and a shaft assembly extending along a central axis from the motor to the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes two or more pump sections and a coupling with a transmission mechanism is located between the two or more pump sections. The motor rotates a motor shaft segment of the shaft assembly that is in engagement with a first pump section and starts the first pump section. One of the transmission mechanisms is moved from a disengaged position to an engaged position where the coupling conveys the rotation of the motor shaft segment to the adjacent shaft segment and starts another of the two or more pump sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates generally to artificial lift systems forsubterranean wells, and more particularly to couplings between pumpstages in electric submersible pumps.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electric submersible pump (ESP) is an artificial lift method used inlifting well fluids from downhole in a subterranean well to the surface,or is used on the surface for transferring fluid from the well site toother equipment or facility for further processing. An ESP system caninclude a pump, which can be centrifugal, a seal or protector, a motor,and a monitoring sub. The pump is used to lift the fluid to the surface.The motor provides the energy required to drive the pump. The protectorabsorbs the thrust load from the pump, transmits power from the motor tothe pump and prevents well-fluid from entering the motor. The monitoringsub provides information on the well fluid characteristics such as pumpintake and discharge pressures, pump intake temperature, motor internaltemperature, vibration, as well as other desired parameters. In certainESP systems, the pump consists of stages, which are made up of impellersand diffusers. The impeller, which is rotating, adds energy to the fluidto provide head, whereas the diffuser, which is static, converts thekinetic energy of fluid from the impeller into head. The pump stages aretypically stacked in series to form a multi-stage system. The sum ofhead generated by each individual stage is summative; hence, the totalhead developed by the multi-stage system is increased.

One common challenge with ESP operations is solid precipitation anddeposition on the ESP string including the motor housing, pump intake,stages (impellers & diffusers) and discharge. The majority of the solidcompositions are one or more types of scales (CaCO3, CaSO4, SrSO4CaMg(CO3)2) and corrosion products. Deposition of solids can result inan increase in ESP trips due to motor high current spikes, hightemperature, or overload. Motor burn can occur because scale andcorrosion buildup in the pump forces the motor to work harder and inoverload (higher temperature) condition. Some ESP wells cannot restartwith normal procedures after a shutdown because the shafts are lockedup. Several methods can be used to free a locked pump; among them aprocess called rocking start utilizing the variable speed drive (VSD),acid injection, fluid recirculation and direct on line start. When arocking start procedure fails to unfreeze the pump, attempts will bemade to circulate fluids or to bullhead a combination of acid andsolvent to dissolve the solid and dislodge the pump. Even though theacid concentration is carefully designed, corrosion damage to tubing andESP can occur. In addition, the process is not always effective. Afterall attempts fail to restart ESPs, the last resort is to work over thewell and pull out and replace the non-functional ESPs. To increase ESPreliability and run life, continuous chemical injection is beingconsidered. However, retrofitting a field with continuous chemicalinjection is a major undertaking.

In conventional ESP systems, all pump stages are on the same shaft andstart rotating at the same time as the system is started up. If there isdebris or solid buildup in pump stages, the motor may not be able toprovide sufficient torque to overcome the initial system inertia or theshaft can be broken due to the high torque applied.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a solution to avoid or reduce thepossibility of shaft damage as a result of sticking pump situations.Systems and method of this disclosure also reduce the possibility ofshaft breakage when a direct on line starter is used to start ESPsinstead of a variable speed drive. Embodiments disclosed herein describesystems and methods to couple pump stages in an electric submersiblepump system that allows for the sequential engagement of pumpsub-sections with a transmission mechanism. The sequential engagementreduces the system inertia required at startup of the ESP, consequentlyreducing the possibility of shaft damage when one of the sub-sectionssticks due to mechanical damage, sand, scale, or any other foreignmatter.

In an embodiment of this disclosure, a method for providing artificiallift includes providing an electric submersible pump system, theelectric submersible pump system having a motor, a pump assembly, a sealassembly located axially between the motor and the pump assembly, and ashaft assembly extending along a central axis from the motor to the pumpassembly, wherein the pump assembly includes two or more pump sectionsand a coupling with a transmission mechanism is located between the twoor more pump sections. The electric submersible pump system is loweredinto a subterranean well. Power is provided to the motor to rotate amotor shaft segment of the shaft assembly, the motor shaft segment beingin engagement with a first pump section of the two or more pump sectionsso that a rotation of the motor shaft segment starts the first pumpsection. The transmission mechanism is moved from a disengaged positionwhere the coupling prevents the transmission of the rotation of themotor shaft segment to an adjacent shaft segment, to an engaged positionwhere the coupling conveys the rotation of the motor shaft segment tothe adjacent shaft segment and starts another of the two or more pumpsections.

In alternate embodiments, the transmission mechanism can be moved fromthe disengaged position to the engaged position when the motor shaftsegment is rotating, and can be moved from the engaged position to thedisengaged position when the motor shaft segment is static. Eachtransmission mechanism that was moved to the engaged position can remainin the engaged position while the motor shaft segment is rotating.

In other alternate embodiments, the transmission mechanism can include asynchromesh clutch assembly and moving the transmission mechanism fromthe disengaged position to the engaged position can include bringing thespeed of rotation of the adjacent shaft segment up to a speed of themotor shaft segment with the synchromesh clutch assembly. Alternately,the transmission mechanism can have an inertial assembly so that movingthe transmission mechanism from the disengaged position to the engagedposition can include bringing the speed of the motor shaft segment tosufficient speed to cause the transmission mechanism to move from thedisengaged position to the engaged position with the inertial assembly.Moving the transmission mechanism from the disengaged position to theengaged position can include actuating the transmission mechanism withan assembly selected from one of a manual clutch, a hydraulic controlline and an electric actuator. The electric submersible pump system canbe used to artificially lift fluids within a wellbore, and the two ormore pump sections can artificially lift the fluids in series. The firstpump section can have a fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluidinlet of an adjacent one of the two or more pump sections andartificially lifting the fluids in series can include pumping the fluidthrough the fluid outlet and into the fluid inlet.

In an alternate embodiment of this disclosure, a method for providingartificial lift with an electric submersible pump system includesproviding an electric submersible pump system having a motor, a pumpassembly, a seal assembly located axially between the motor and the pumpassembly, and a shaft assembly extending along a central axis from themotor to the pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly includes two ormore pump sections and a coupling with a transmission mechanism islocated between the two or more pump sections. Electric submersible pumpsystem is lowered into a subterranean well. Power is provided to themotor to rotate a motor shaft segment of the shaft assembly, the motorshaft segment being in engagement with a first pump section of the twoor more pump sections so that a rotation of the motor shaft segmentstarts the first pump section. The transmission mechanism between thefirst pump section and a second pump section can be moved from adisengaged position where the coupling prevents the transmission of therotation of the motor shaft segment to a second shaft segment, to anengaged position where the coupling conveys the rotation of the motorshaft segment to the second shaft segment and starts the second pumpsection.

In alternate embodiments, the two or more pump sections can furtherinclude sequential pump sections that are located sequentially adjacentto the second pump section, each sequential pump section including asequential shaft segment that rotates with the motor shaft segment whena sequential coupling is in the engaged position, and the method canfurther include moving the transmission mechanism associated with one ofthe sequential pump sections from the disengaged position where thecoupling prevents the transmission of the rotation of the motor shaftsegment to a sequential shaft segment, to the engaged position where thecoupling conveys the rotation of the motor shaft segment to thesequential shaft segment and starts the sequential pump section.

In other alternate embodiments, each transmission mechanism that hasbeen moved to the engaged position can remain in the engaged positionwhile the motor shaft segment is rotating. The transmission mechanismscan include a synchromesh clutch assembly and moving the transmissionmechanism between the first pump section and the second pump sectionfrom the disengaged position to the engaged position can includebringing a speed of rotation of the second shaft segment up to a speedof the motor shaft segment with the synchromesh clutch assembly. Theelectric submersible pump system can be used to artificially lift fluidswithin a wellbore, wherein the two or more pump sections artificiallylift the fluids in series.

In another alternate embodiment of this disclosure, an electricsubmersible pump system for providing artificial lift includes a motor,a pump assembly, and a seal assembly located axially between the motorand the pump assembly. A shaft assembly extends along a central axisfrom the motor to the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes two ormore pump sections and a coupling is located between the two or morepump sections. The shaft assembly includes a series of shaft segments,each shaft segment having an end located at a coupling. At least onecoupling has a transmission mechanism moveable between a disengagedposition where the coupling prevents the transmission of a rotation ofone of the shaft segment to an adjacent shaft segment, and an engagedposition where the coupling conveys the rotation of the one of the shaftsegment to the adjacent shaft segment.

In alternate embodiments, one of the two or more pump sections can be afirst pump section that is closest to the motor, the first pump sectionbeing rotationally engaged with a motor shaft segment of the shaftassembly so that the first pump section is engaged with the motor. Oneof the two or more pump sections can be a second pump section that isadjacent to the first pump section, the second pump section including asecond shaft segment that is rotationally engaged with the motor shaftsegment so that the second shaft segment rotates with the motor shaftsegment when a first coupling is in the engaged position. The two ormore pump sections can include sequential pump sections that are locatedsequentially adjacent to the second pump section, each sequential pumpsection including a sequential shaft segment that rotates with the motorshaft segment when a sequential coupling is in the engaged position.

In other alternate embodiments, each pump section can be in engagementwith a shaft segment both when any transmission mechanism is in thedisengaged position and when any transmission mechanism is in theengaged position. One of the two or more pump sections can be a firstpump section that is closest to the motor, the first pump section havinga fluid outlet in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of a secondpump section that is adjacent to the first pump section. Eachtransmission mechanism can be moveable from the disengaged position tothe engaged position when the shaft assembly is rotating and eachtransmission mechanism can be moveable from the engaged position to thedisengaged position when the shaft assembly is static.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features, aspects andadvantages of the embodiments of this disclosure, as well as others thatwill become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, amore particular description of the disclosure briefly summarized abovemay be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustratedin the drawings that form a part of this specification. It is to benoted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only preferredembodiments of the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be consideredlimiting of the disclosure's scope, for the disclosure may admit toother equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic section view of a subterranean well with anartificial lift system in accordance with an embodiment of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic section view of a coupling in accordance with anembodiment of this disclosure, shown in the engaged position.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the coupling of FIG. 2, shown in thedisengaged position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coupling of FIG. 2, shown in betweenthe disengaged position and the engaged position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a coupling in accordance with an embodiment ofthis disclosure, shown in the disengaged position.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the coupling of FIG. 5, shown in between thedisengaged position and the engaged position.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the coupling of FIG. 5, shown in between thedisengaged position and the engaged position.

FIG. 8 is a section view of the coupling of FIG. 5, shown in the engagedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrateembodiments of the disclosure. Systems and methods of this disclosuremay, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosureto those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elementsthroughout, and the prime notation, if used, indicates similar elementsin alternative embodiments or positions.

In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, itwill be obvious to those skilled in the art that embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be practiced without such specific details.Additionally, for the most part, details concerning well drilling,reservoir testing, well completion and the like have been omittedinasmuch as such details are not considered necessary to obtain acomplete understanding of the present disclosure, and are considered tobe within the skills of persons skilled in the relevant art.

Looking at FIG. 1, subterranean well 10 includes wellbore 12. ESP 14 islocated within wellbore 12. ESP 14 of FIG. 1 includes motor 16 which isused to drive a pump assembly 18 at an upper portion of ESP 14. Motor 16can be, for example, an AC or DC induction motor or permanent magnetmotor. Between motor 16 and pump assembly 18 is seal section 20. Sealsection 20 can protect motor 16 from contamination by wellbore fluids,equalizing pressure within ESP 14 with that of wellbore 12, and absorbthe axial thrust produced by pump assembly 18. ESP 14 can also includesensor 22 for monitoring conditions within wellbore 12. Sensor 22 canmeasure, as an example, characteristics such as pump intake anddischarge pressures, pump intake temperature, motor internaltemperature, vibration, and other desired parameters. Power cable 23 canbe used to both provide power to motor 16 and to communicate with sensor22.

Fluid within wellbore 12 can enter ESP at a lower end of pump assembly18 and travel to the surface by way of tubing 24. Packer 26 can sealbetween an outer diameter of tubing 24 and an inner diameter of wellbore12 so that fluids produced to the surface are from a selected intervalof wellbore 12.

Pump assembly 18 includes a number of pump sections 28. In certainembodiments, there can be two or more pump sections 28 and in theexample of FIG. 1, pump assembly 18 includes three pump sections 28.Pump sections 28 are configured in series so that fluids from wellbore12 being produced to the surface travel through each of the pumpsections 28 in succession. In order to allow the fluids to travelthrough pump sections 28, fluids can travel through outlet 30 on one ofthe pump sections 28 into inlet 32 into an adjacent pump section 28.

Each pump section 28 is driven by shaft assembly 34. Shaft assembly 34extends along central axis Ax. Shaft assembly 34 includes a series ofshaft segments 36. Shaft segments 36 can be connected together withcouplings 38. A coupling 38 is located between each pump section 28. Inthe example of FIG. 1, at least one end of each shaft segment 36 has anend located at a coupling 38. Coupling 38 can connect each of the shaftsegments 36 together so that they rotate together and act as a singleshaft that extends along central axis Ax between motor 16 and each pumpsection 28. The two or more pump sections 28 include sequential pumpsections, and each sequential pump section has a sequential shaftsegment 36 that rotates with motor shaft segment 36 a when a sequentialcoupling 38 is in the engaged position.

Coupling 38 includes transmission mechanism 40. Transmission mechanism40 can move between a disengaged position where coupling 38 does nottransmit rotation between adjacent shaft segments 36, and an engagedposition where coupling 38 transmits rotation between adjacent shaftsegments 36. Each transmission mechanism 40 is moveable from thedisengaged position to the engaged position when at least a portion ofshaft assembly 34 is rotating to allow for sequential startup ofsuccessive pump sections 28. Transmission mechanisms 40 can remain inthe engaged position when motor 16 is powered and ESP 14 is operating.Each transmission mechanism 40 can be moved to the disengaged positionwhen motor 16 is stopped, ESP 14 is not operating, or shaft assembly 34static, so that transmission mechanisms 40 can again be sequentiallymoved to the engaged position to re-start pump sections 28 sequentially

Each pump section 28 is in engagement with one of the shaft segments 36throughout the operation of ESP 14, including both when any transmissionmechanism 40 is in the disengaged position and when any transmissionmechanism 40 is in the engaged position. Therefore when coupling 38engages ends of adjacent shaft segments 36, such shaft segments willrotate together and cause both associated pump sections 28 to operate.

As an example, looking at FIG. 1, motor shaft segment 36 a can rotatewhen motor 16 is running. Motor shaft segment 36 a can be in engagementwith first pump section 28 a and can operate first pump section 28 awhen power is provided to motor 16. First pump section 28 a can be thepump section that is closest to motor 16. In this way, rotation of motorshaft segment 36 a can start first pump section 28 a.

When first pump section 28 a has been started and is rotating, if firstcoupling 38 a that is between first pump section 28 a and an adjacentpump section such as second section pump section 28 b has a transmissionmechanism 40 (FIGS. 2-8) that is in the disengaged position, firstcoupling 38 a prevents the transmission of the rotation of motor shaftsegment 36 a to an adjacent or second shaft segment 36 b. Second shaftsegment 36 b engages second pump section 28 b and so when transmissionmechanism 40 of first coupling 38 a is moved to the engaged position,first coupling 38 a conveys the rotation of motor shaft segment 36 a tothe adjacent second shaft segment 36 b and starts the adjacent secondpump section 28 b.

Similarly, when second pump section 28 b has been started and isrotating, if second coupling 38 b that is between second pump section 28b and an adjacent pump section such as third section pump section 28 chas a transmission mechanism 40 (FIGS. 2-8) that is in the disengagedposition, second coupling 38 b prevents the transmission of the rotationof second shaft segment 36 b to an adjacent or third shaft segment 36 c.Third shaft segment 36 c engages third pump section 28 c and so whentransmission mechanism 40 of second coupling 38 b is moved to theengaged position, second coupling 38 b conveys the rotation of motorshaft segment 36 a to the third shaft segment 36 c by way of secondshaft segment 36 b and starts the third pump section 28 c. Inembodiments with more than three pump sections 28, this process can berepeated to start each of the pump sections 28. By starting each pumpsection 28 sequentially the torque and electric power required to startESP 14 can be reduced, burnout of motor 16 and damage to shaft assembly34 can be avoided, and any lock-up of shaft assembly 34, this lock-upcan be unfrozen.

Transmission mechanism 40 can be activated mechanically, hydraulically,electrically, electro-magnetically. In other embodiments thetransmission mechanism 40 is a mechanical clutch. Transmission mechanism40 can be powered, monitored and controlled through transmission line42. As an example, transmission line 42 can be a hydraulic line, a powerline, or a control line, or other type of communications line, asapplicable. Transmission line 42 can extend from the surface totransmission mechanism 40 of each coupling 38.

Looking at FIGS. 2-4, in an example embodiment, transmission mechanism40 can be an inertial assembly. In an inertial assembly transmissionmechanism 40 can move from the disengaged position (FIG. 3) to theengaged position (FIG. 2) on its own when a rotational speed of one ofthe shaft segments 36 associated with the transmission mechanism 40reaches a given value. In the example of FIGS. 2-4, transmissionmechanism 40 includes weights 44. Weights 44 can move from a radiallyinward location to a radially outward location as a result of therotation of transmission mechanism 40. When weights 44 move rotationallyoutward, they can engage weight slots 45 and fans 52 and 54 slowly getclose to one another but never contact, to form a non-contact fluidcoupling that allows them to rotate together.

Looking at FIG. 3, transmission mechanism 40 includes weights 44 onhinge 46. Hinge 46 can move from an extended position (FIG. 3) to aretracted position (FIG. 2). An end of hinge 46 can be secured to ring47 that circumscribes collar 50 and is rotationally independent ofcollar 50. Ring 47 can be supported by radial shoulder 49 of collar 50.Collar 50 is rotationally fixed to fan 52 and one of the shaft segments36, shown as an example as the upper shaft. Collar 50 and fan 52 canmove axially along one of the shaft segments 36, shown as an example asthe upper shaft.

Spring 48 biases hinge 46 in an extended position with weights 44located radially closer to an outer diameter of shaft segment 36. Collar50 and fan 52 rotate independently from hinge 46. As hinge 46 movesbetween the extended position and the retracted position, ring 47 canpull on radial shoulder 49 of collar 50. Collar 50 can be a ring shapedmember and have grooves on an inner diameter surface that can engageouter teeth of upper shaft segment 36.

Weights 44 are rotationally fixed to one of the shaft segments 36, shownas an example as the lower shaft segment 36 of FIG. 3. As such shaftsegment 36 rotates, weights 44 will also rotate. Fan 54 will also rotatewith such shaft segment 36. Fans 52, 54 are integral to the coupling asthey form a non-contact fluid coupling that allow slippage duringacceleration and form a solid coupling when the two shafts 36 rotate atthe same speed. This type of coupling also allows disengagement at highloads without mechanical damage.

Looking at FIG. 4, as weights 44 rotate, they will move radially outwardby centrifugal force, overcoming the bias of spring 48. As weights 44move radially outward, hinge 46 moves from the extended position towardsthe retracted position, causing weights 44, collar 50 and fan 52 to alsomove axially towards the other fan 54 which is rotating. Weights 44 moveaxially closer to weight slots 45 and collar 50 and fan 52 moves closerto fan 54 slowly forming a fluid coupling.

Looking at FIG. 2, when weights 44 rotate with sufficient speed so thathinge 46 is in the retracted position, fan 54 will apply a drag typeforce on the second fan 52 causing second fan 52 to rotate at the samespeed as first fan 54 forming a rotational connection between adjacentshaft segments 36 so that adjacent shaft segments 36 rotate together. Inthis configuration, transmission mechanism 40 is in the engaged positionand pump section 28 associated with previously non or slow moving shaftsegment 36 is started. Transmission mechanism 40 will remain in theengaged position for as long as shaft segments 36 continue to rotate atsufficient speed. Transmission mechanism 40 can return to the disengagedposition when motor 16 is stopped or shaft segments 36 otherwise stoprotating with sufficient speed.

Looking at FIGS. 5-8, in an alternate example of transmission mechanism40, transmission mechanism 40 can include a synchromesh clutch assembly.In the synchromesh clutch assembly of FIGS. 5-8, when movingtransmission mechanism 40 from the disengaged position to the engagedposition, the speed of adjacent shaft segments 36 will be brought up tosimilar speeds, which will be the speed of motor shaft segment 36 a,before making up the connection between the adjacent shaft segments 36.

Looking at FIG. 5, an end of one of the adjacent shaft segments 36 willhave a protruding cone 56 and an end of the other of the adjacent shaftsegments 36 will have a recessed cone 58. The ends of adjacent shaftsegments 36 will have outer teeth 60. And collar 62 will have groovesthat can simultaneously engage the teeth of both of the adjacent shaftsegments 36 to rotationally connect the adjacent shaft segments 36 sothat the adjacent shaft segments 36 rotate together.

Looking at FIG. 6, when the adjacent shaft segments 36 are broughttogether, the friction between protruding cone 56 and recessed cone 58will cause the non or slower moving shaft segment 36 to rotate and bebrought up to the speed of the rotating shaft segment 36. Looking atFIG. 7, once the adjacent shaft segments 36 are rotating at the samespeed, collar 62 can move axially along teeth 60 of one of the shaftsegments 36 towards the teeth 60 of the other shaft segments 36. Apointed end of the teeth 60 of the other shaft segments 36 can help toalign such teeth 60 with the grooves of collar 62 so that collar 62 canbridge the teeth of both of the adjacent shaft segments 36, rotationallyconnecting adjacent shaft segments 36. In this configuration,transmission mechanism 40 is in the engaged position and pump section 28associated with previously non or slow moving shaft segment 36 isstarted.

Although example transmission mechanisms 40 have been shown in FIGS.2-8, alternate transmission mechanisms 40 can be used that meet theoperational requirements of ESP 14 in accordance with embodiments ofthis disclosure.

In an example of operation, in order to provide artificial lift with anESP, ESP 14 having motor 16, pump assembly 18, seal section 20, andshaft assembly 34 can be lowered into wellbore 12 of subterranean well10. Motor 16 can be powered to rotate motor shaft segment 36 a that isin engagement with first pump section 28 a to start first pump section28 a. After motor shaft segment 36 a of shaft assembly 34 is rotating,transmission mechanism 40 between first pump section 28 a and secondpump section 28 b from a disengaged position to an engaged positionwhere coupling 38 a conveys the rotation of motor shaft segment 36 a torotate second shaft segment 36 b and start second pump section 28 b.Further adjacent transmission mechanisms 40 can be similarly moved toengaged positions to start further pump sections 28. Each of thetransmission mechanisms 40 can remain in an engaged position while ESPis operating. When ESP 14 is stopped, each transmission mechanism 40 ofcouplings 38 can be moved back to the disengaged position so that onlyfirst pump section 28 a is engaged with motor 16.

Embodiments of the disclosure described herein, therefore, are welladapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantagesmentioned, as well as others inherent therein. While a presentlypreferred embodiment of the disclosure has been given for purposes ofdisclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures foraccomplishing the desired results. These and other similar modificationswill readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and areintended to be encompassed within the spirit of the present disclosureand the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing artificial lift with anelectric submersible pump system, the method comprising: providing anelectric submersible pump system having a motor, a pump assembly, a sealassembly located axially between the motor and the pump assembly, and ashaft assembly extending along a central axis from the motor to the pumpassembly, wherein the pump assembly includes two or more pump sectionsand a coupling with a transmission mechanism is located between the twoor more pump sections; lowering the electric submersible pump systeminto a subterranean well; providing power to the motor to rotate a motorshaft segment of the shaft assembly, the motor shaft segment being inengagement with a first pump section of the two or more pump sections sothat a rotation of the motor shaft segment starts the first pumpsection; and moving the transmission mechanism from a disengagedposition where the coupling prevents the transmission of the rotation ofthe motor shaft segment to an adjacent shaft segment, to an engagedposition where the coupling conveys the rotation of the motor shaftsegment to the adjacent shaft segment and starts another of the two ormore pump sections.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmissionmechanism is moved from the disengaged position to the engaged positionwhen the motor shaft segment is rotating and is moved from the engagedposition to the disengaged position when the motor shaft segment isstatic.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein each transmission mechanismthat has been moved to the engaged position remains in the engagedposition while the motor shaft segment is rotating.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a synchromeshclutch assembly and wherein moving the transmission mechanism from thedisengaged position to the engaged position includes bringing a speed ofrotation of the adjacent shaft segment up to a speed of the motor shaftsegment with the synchromesh clutch assembly.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the transmission mechanism has an inertial assembly so thatmoving the transmission mechanism from the disengaged position to theengaged position includes bringing a speed of motor shaft segment tosufficient speed to cause the transmission mechanism to move from thedisengaged position to the engaged position with the inertial assembly.6. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the transmission mechanism fromthe disengaged position to the engaged position includes actuating thetransmission mechanism with an assembly selected from one of a manualclutch, a hydraulic control line and an electric actuator.
 7. The methodof claim 1, further comprising using the electric submersible pumpsystem to artificially lift fluids within a wellbore, wherein the two ormore pump sections artificially lift the fluids in series.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the first pump section has a fluid outlet in fluidcommunication with a fluid inlet of an adjacent one of the two or morepump sections and wherein artificially lifting the fluids in seriesincludes pumping the fluid through the fluid outlet and into the fluidinlet.
 9. A method for providing artificial lift with an electricsubmersible pump system, the method comprising: providing an electricsubmersible pump system having a motor, a pump assembly, a seal assemblylocated axially between the motor and the pump assembly, and a shaftassembly extending along a central axis from the motor to the pumpassembly, wherein the pump assembly includes two or more pump sectionsand a coupling with a transmission mechanism is located between the twoor more pump sections; lowering the electric submersible pump systeminto a subterranean well; providing power to the motor to rotate a motorshaft segment of the shaft assembly, the motor shaft segment being inengagement with a first pump section of the two or more pump sections sothat a rotation of the motor shaft segment starts the first pumpsection; and moving the transmission mechanism between the first pumpsection and a second pump section from a disengaged position where thecoupling prevents the transmission of the rotation of the motor shaftsegment to a second shaft segment, to an engaged position where thecoupling conveys the rotation of the motor shaft segment to the secondshaft segment and starts the second pump section.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the two or more pump sections further includessequential pump sections that are located sequentially adjacent to thesecond pump section, each sequential pump section including a sequentialshaft segment that rotates with the motor shaft segment when asequential coupling is in the engaged position, the method furtherincluding moving the transmission mechanism associated with one of thesequential pump sections from the disengaged position where the couplingprevents the transmission of the rotation of the motor shaft segment tothe sequential shaft segment, to the engaged position where the couplingconveys the rotation of the motor shaft segment to the sequential shaftsegment and starts the sequential pump section.
 11. The method of claim9, wherein each transmission mechanism that has been moved to theengaged position remains in the engaged position while the motor shaftsegment is rotating.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein one of thetransmission mechanism includes a synchromesh clutch assembly andwherein moving the transmission mechanism between the first pump sectionand the second pump section from the disengaged position to the engagedposition includes bringing a speed of rotation of the second shaftsegment up to a speed of the motor shaft segment with the synchromeshclutch assembly.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising using theelectric submersible pump system to artificially lift fluids within awellbore, wherein the two or more pump sections artificially lift thefluids in series.
 14. An electric submersible pump system for providingartificial lift, the system comprising: a motor; a pump assembly; a sealassembly located axially between the motor and the pump assembly; and ashaft assembly extending along a central axis from the motor to the pumpassembly; wherein the pump assembly includes two or more pump sectionsand a coupling is located between the two or more pump sections; theshaft assembly includes a series of shaft segments, each shaft segmenthaving an end located at a coupling; and the coupling has a transmissionmechanism moveable between a disengaged position where the couplingprevents the transmission of a rotation of one of the shaft segment toan adjacent shaft segment, and an engaged position where the couplingconveys the rotation of the one of the shaft segment to the adjacentshaft segment.
 15. The system in accordance with claim 14, wherein oneof the two or more pump sections is a first pump section that is closestto the motor, the first pump section being rotationally engaged with amotor shaft segment of the shaft assembly so that the first pump sectionis engaged with the motor.
 16. The system in accordance with claim 15,wherein one of the two or more pump sections is a second pump sectionthat is adjacent to the first pump section, the second pump sectionincluding a second shaft segment that is rotationally engaged with themotor shaft segment so that the second shaft segment rotates with themotor shaft segment when a first coupling is in the engaged position.17. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the two or more pumpsections include sequential pump sections that are located sequentiallyadjacent to the second pump section, the sequential pump sectionsincluding a sequential shaft segment that rotates with the motor shaftsegment when a sequential coupling is in the engaged position.
 18. Thesystem in accordance with claim 14, wherein each pump section is inengagement with the shaft segment both when any transmission mechanismis in the disengaged position and when any transmission mechanism is inthe engaged position.
 19. The system in accordance with claim 14,wherein one of the two or more pump sections is a first pump sectionthat is closest to the motor, the first pump section having a fluidoutlet in fluid communication with a fluid inlet of a second pumpsection that is adjacent to the first pump section.
 20. The system inaccordance with claim 14, wherein each transmission mechanism ismoveable from the disengaged position to the engaged position when theshaft assembly is rotating and wherein each transmission mechanism ismoveable from the engaged position to the disengaged position when theshaft assembly is static.